The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 497: So Hand It Over, Then (4)

My plan was simple. First, show the high–rank Hunters gathered in the hall that I wasn’t easy prey even without S–rank protection. Up to that point, it had gone well. Next, I’d have them verify my practical capability directly— but then—

“Sweetie, present!”

At some point, Liette had appeared and tossed a large shell to Kang Soyeong. Soyeong caught it, opened it, and beamed.

“A blue pearl!”

“Where is my little brother? Honey gets a present too!”

Yuhyun caught the shell flying my way and opened it for me. Inside lay a rosy pearl. I told you I don’t like pink. More importantly— I beckoned Liette closer.

“What is that.”

When I whispered, Liette grinned.

“A monster.”

I mean, I can see that it’s a monster. It wasn’t one I remembered.

If you want to leave an impression on Hunters, no matter what anyone says, battle is best. So I’d given Liette a wide–ranging lure and asked her to drag in some monsters from the surrounding sea. Like Hong Kong, Japan’s waters obviously had dungeons— and being larger than Hong Kong, it had more.

Since dungeons appeared where people gathered, most formed near shore even at sea, but sometimes ones deep down went undiscovered and burst. Fortunately, monsters from an underwater dungeon mostly didn’t climb onto land— sometimes they couldn’t.

I’d told her to draw in those quietly crouching monsters, but that thing—

‘…Doesn’t look like S–rank.’

Don’t tell me— an SS–rank we failed to catch back then? When the Forest of the Black Ox dungeon had the King of Harmless meddling, multiple SS–rank monsters appeared in Japan. We lured and dealt with all the ones roaming the land, but if there had been a water–type SS–rank that spawned in the sea from the start… then we wouldn’t even have known it existed— until now.

‘I was just going to toss out a few S–rank monsters and go, “Guests, please stay back~,” while we handled it…’

Life never goes to plan. More than that— what is that thing? A giant turtle?

“That’s no S–rank!”

Shy Boy shouted. He must have run into it as he was about to leave the island entirely.

“One of those SS–rank monsters that appeared in Japan?”

“If it’s aquatic, that explains why we couldn’t find it. But why show up now?”

Well— that… was not my intention.

“Perhaps it felt threatened because so many S–rank Hunters gathered.”

Let’s go with that.

“Then can’t Director Han just use that show–off skill.”

…Show–off skill? You mean the skill I used to catch the SS–rank. I told the truth that time. I even only listed things I’m grateful for as a younger brother and didn’t bring up a single merit as a Hunter. How is that “show–off.” Unfair.

“Show–off skill?”

Another Hunter looked puzzled, while someone else clearly recognized it. There weren’t just one or two present when we used My Kid Is The Best— word would have spread. With enough people, that skill could make short work of a lone SS–rank monster. But that would be a waste.

“Is there something wrong with my ears?”

I raised my voice on purpose, staring straight at the Hunter who first brought up my skill.

“It sounded like an S–rank Hunter said he’d foist a monster onto an F–rank. Surely not, right.”

Surely, surely, suuuurely not. You have your S–rank pride, don’t you, surely. At my words, the S–rank flinched and shook his head.

“That’s not it— besides, last time you only used the skill; the Haeyeon Guildmaster actually fought.”

“He was right beside me. That was an urgent situation, worth the risk. But here, with dozens of S–ranks gathered…”

I let out a long, incredulous sigh. The Hunter floundered, and those who’d been nodding along at using the— not show–off— our kid skill, also averted their eyes.

“Of course, we don’t mean to endanger Director Han—”

“But!”

I clapped once to reset the mood.

“You are, first and foremost, my guests. As host, I never promised to shield you from monsters, but I can’t pretend I saw nothing.”

Saying so, I held out a hand to Yuhyun. He passed me the communicator.

“There’s a slight change of plan. Yes, please come down with Mr. Noah.”

Please wait a moment, everyone, I said with a smile. Meanwhile, the small fry in the area were all hunted down. I stepped up onto a flowerbed for better visibility. Yerim stood below and to either side with Yuhyun as if guarding me, and whispered tiny:

“Mister, this time it’s me, me.”

Since Guildmaster did it last time, and we’re by the sea— she argued— but sorry.

“I’ll avoid using it if possible. If we must, I’ll ask you, Yerim.”

Catching an SS–rank alone is impossible for me. I can play no more than a support role. But even within “support,” actively participating and using one skill then stepping back are entirely different.

Especially with our kid skill— the user’s judgment hardly matters. It’s beyond simple support— it’s closer to an item you just use and you’re done. That wouldn’t do now.

I had to show them a situation where I was the one leading.

“Yuhyun, don’t let any suspicious person get near me.”

If it comes to it, even forcefully. I didn’t say the rest because Yerim was here— but my brother would get it. Now that we were outside the hall, Park Hayul might pull some stu— pidity— anyway, caution.

“Huh? The blacksmith.”

Yu Myungwoo came out with Noah. People stirred; Liette, unconcerned, tossed the remaining pearl shells to Noah.

“Present!”

Noah caught the shells like it was old hat. Liette might bully her little brother, but whenever she went far, she made sure to bring presents. Many were strange and troublesome— but still. She does cherish Mr. Noah… it seems.

“What’s with the stains?”

Myungwoo asked as he approached.

“Spilled a bit of wine.”

Come to think of it, Seong Hyunjae was nowhere to be seen. Off changing clothes? I did pour on him rather generously.

Myungwoo drew a weapon from his inventory— none other than Farmine’s Icewood Spear. The basic form was similar to before, but it gleamed a deeper blue. Within the Mermaid Queen’s gem, I could see something white moving like mist.

He handed the spear to me.

[Icewood Spear that Blossomed in the Abyssal Sea – SS–rank

A spear crafted by a skilled artisan from an old branch of icewood. It holds the mingled power of the Deep Sea’s Sovereign and the King of Harmless’s line. The two seas’ balance is currently mismatched.]

With the rank up, the name had changed too. Now it was the Icewood Spear that Blossomed in the Abyssal Sea, though it sometimes shifted into the Icewood Spear Shrouded in Harmless. As he upgraded it, the Mermaid Queen’s gem— originally more decoration— fully assimilated with the spear. But because the balance between the Deep Sea and Harmless forces wasn’t right, we couldn’t invoke both at once yet.

Myungwoo said the two seas’ powers in the spear would harmonize if Yerim led it. Once the weapon’s owner could handle both perfectly, they’d blend naturally.

‘And then the rank might rise again, you said.’

Gazes fixed on the spear in my hand. Everyone knew Myungwoo had made the S–rank Icewood Spear. I raised it openly and offered it to Yerim. She lifted lightly into the air, accepted the spear, and smiled radiant. The long spear spun once at her fingertips, shedding a soft blue glow.

“It really is SS–rank!”

At her cry, exclamations burst here and there.

“SS–rank?!”

“Wasn’t it S–rank?”

Publicly known SS–rank weapons numbered only the Seeker’s Chain. There might be others not yet revealed, like Yuhyun’s Sword of the Ruler, but officially this made the Icewood Spear the second SS–rank weapon.

“I remember Farmine’s Icewood Spear as S–rank.”

Unable to contain his curiosity, a Hunter stepped forward to ask. His gaze flicked to Yerim, then dropped to Myungwoo.

“Then if it has become SS–rank— is it possible to raise a weapon’s rank?”

Quick on the uptake. At that, the Hunters grew even more agitated. Myungwoo nodded calmly.

“Yes, it’s possible.”

Greed began to glimmer in the crowding eyes. Most S–ranks owned an S–rank weapon. SS–rank was different. S–ranks started watching each other— swallowing dry. In that charged quiet, Myungwoo continued at leisure.

“With my current ability, I cannot newly create an SS–rank weapon. But I can upgrade an S–rank weapon. I cannot promise it will be SS–rank every time, but performance will certainly rise— at least top–tier S–rank, near SS–rank.”

The air grew hushed. Like lambs, they listened, breath held. First was Korea. Second was Korea. Other countries— practically unaffected. So if they secured the third SS–rank weapon, they could seize a decisive edge in their national Hunter scene.

Between domestic Hunters and neighboring nations’ Hunters, murderous looks flashed. If they couldn’t have it themselves— they’d scuttle someone else.

“Here we have a voucher for a gear upgrade slot.”

Ta–da— I took out a sheet of paper from my inventory. Eyes stabbed like they’d punch holes through it.

“This was meant to be a special offering for the final day— but the situation changed. Ah, of course you must prepare the materials and the fee. This is merely a priority slot. As you know, our Hunter Yu Myungwoo rarely takes commissions.”

No freebies— never.

“But with this, you can hand your weapon in right away— immediately— on the spot!”

And that alone was huge. S–ranks had money to burn— unsurprisingly, they took “pay the upgrade cost” in stride.

“The terms are simple. The team that deals with that presumed SS–rank monster— stop right there! Move on your own and you’re disqualified.”

A few S–ranks who were about to dash off skidded to a halt. Good listeners. I truly felt like a Terrifying Chick Class Teacher now. Peep, peep, S–ranks.

“As host of this gathering, I’ll award the upgrade slot to the one who removes the SS–rank monster disrupting our event. Calm down and hear all the terms. Don’t draw your weapons yet!”

Too many kids— this class is over capacity.

“It’ll be hard to gauge contribution if you swarm— go by teams. Up to three S–ranks per team. If you’re confident, solo is fine. No limit on A–ranks and below. And the critical part is order.”

I took a memo pad and pen from my inventory. On each sheet I wrote a number from 1 to 10, then fanned them out.

“Auction begins~.”

“Auction?” confusion rose in pockets. What— you think it’s free?

“Each team gets thirty minutes. If you can’t finish within time or suffer serious injury, the turn passes to the next team. If the monster isn’t slain by Team 10, Team 1 gets another chance.”

If you’re confident you can one–shot it, go first. If you want a softened target, aim for the middle. If it seems formidable, later is safer.

“If two full rounds fail, remaining folks will get order by special lottery— free.”

Six hundred minutes total— about ten hours, so near dawn tomorrow. I raised only the “1” sheet high with my other hand.

“Cash, real estate, dungeon management rights accepted! Items preferred! Equipment A–rank and up, consumables S–rank and up only~ Number 1— who wants the first try!”

I fluttered the paper. Number 1 was actually a bit disadvantageous. Thirty minutes might not be enough to fell an S–rank boss. But there were only ten chances total.

“One million dollars!”

We had our first bidder. A million— about a billion won? Pocket change to S–ranks— stingy, stingy.

“One point five million.”

Petty. Should’ve planted a shill.

“Ten million!”

“Yes, ten million. Still snack money for the kiddies~.”

Put some items on the table, come on. Then Moon Hyunah shot up her hand.

“Ten million and a Mini Lake of Summer!”

The Summer Mini Lake was a consumable S–rank item that created a lake of the user’s chosen size within a 1 km radius. With a one–day duration, you might wonder where to use it— but depending on monster and dungeon terrain, it could be extremely useful.

“S–rank item on the field! But Guildmaster Breaker, you can’t participate. It’ll look like shilling. Sorry— please try your luck in the free draw.”

“So harsh, Director Han. Shouldn’t you treat acquaintances better.”

She grumbled but nodded. Thanks to that—

“Ten million and Tilnisol’s Dagger, A–rank.”

Others began adding items. No doubt she stepped in deliberately.

“Thirty million plus an A–rank antidote and an A–rank bow— any higher?”

Bows are nice. I’ll check the specs and, if it fits Yerim, give it to her as a sub–weapon. A–rank antidotes were rare, too. You can never have too many higher–rank consumables. Even if I have them, I can’t accompany every raid.

Number 1 sold for a decent price. But for Number 2—

“Number 2— you can watch Number 1’s fight, learn the monster’s info, then go!”

Naturally more popular than Number 1. In the heated air, the Number 2 turn sold for fifty million, two S–rank consumables, and two A–rank pieces of gear. Next, Number 3—

“Number 3— the sweet spot! Any later and it gets dicey~”

Cash alone hit one hundred million dollars. Of course, items outweighed cash in value.

“S–rank ring! Anything else? Nothing? Then Number 3— sold to Mr. Alberto from Italy!”

Middle Number 4 and even Number 5 closed at steep prices. Cautious Hunters preferred late numbers. With only thirty minutes, some would clearly test and retreat, hoping their turn would come around again— so Number 10 also fetched a higher price than expected.

“Final Number 10— sold!”

It was hard to hold down the corners of my mouth. Thank you kindly. Pure profit. And on top of that—

‘The chance of success is extremely low.’

Judging from that bulk and shape, odds were it was a defensive type like the old giant toad. In that case, S–rank attack power couldn’t realistically clear it. Even with decent support, unless you doubled their damage like my skill, inflicting a critical wound would be hard.

And if it turned out to just be a big S–rank— even if they won the upgrade slot, they couldn’t use it right away. Upgrading to SS–rank gear requires an SS–rank magic stone.

Best outcome— we conclude, “inevitable we handle it,” and finish it ourselves. Kill two birds with one stone.

‘Pricks my conscience a tiny bit.’

Still— just in case.

“Mind your order, mind the rules— and good luck!”

If you succeed, we’ll cooperate cleanly and even toss in a bonus. Fighting!